An Intercape bus driver died days after he was shot and seriously injured outside Intercape’s depot in Cape Town.
This attack on the 35-year-old bus driver is, according to Intercape, part of a campaign of extortion and violence against the long-distance bus industry to force buses to travel certain routes. More than 150 attacks on bus drivers and passengers were reported last year – attacks in which drivers were shot or pelted with stones or their buses set on fire.
According to a statement issued by Intercape, attacks were mainly centered around key villages and routes in the Eastern Cape, where taxi operators were allegedly intent on forcing companies such as Intercape out of business through violent intimidation or extortion.
According to the statement, the bus driver in question was shot three times on Monday after leaving the depot. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he had to undergo emergency surgery.
However, he died three days later from his injuries. He is survived by his wife and children.
Johann Ferreira, CEO of Intercape, says the driver’s death follows after the bus company repeatedly begged the government to help combat these attacks on bus drivers.
“We have pleaded with the authorities to act urgently before innocent people are killed. “Now it’s too late and we at Intercape are completely devastated to hear of the death of our colleague,” said Ferreira.
“The long-distance train system in South Africa has been systematically dismantled, infrastructure has been destroyed and stolen by thugs and thieves and certain criminal elements within the taxi industry. The taxi industry is now neutralizing the long-distance bus operators, specifically in the Eastern Cape, and thus forcing passengers into the minibus taxis. ”
Ferreira says they spoke to police locally and there were also talks with representatives of the taxi industry. Nevertheless, the attacks continued unabated and increased. “We have now started liaising with the police service at the National Joint Operational Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) level and hope that this will bring about change.”
Ferreira confirmed that Intercape also personally told Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa wrote in a desperate attempt to address the targeted attacks on Intercape and the long-distance bus industry.
Intercape is also asking police to intervene to secure bus drivers on the targeted routes.
An Intercape long-distance bus driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, says he fears for his safety every time he travels on the targeted routes. “You see the attackers standing next to the road and the next moment you hear gunshots and the bus’ window breaking,” said the driver.
“This is the scariest thing you can imagine while diving to avoid the bullets and try to keep the bus under control while the passengers behind you shout in fear.”